I'm looking for advice on the Hampton Roads area .. (Norfolk: apartments, rental)

[JDub02]

My company is sending me to our field office at the Newport News shipyard in June to spend a few years down there. I really know nothing about the area other than I've been to the shipyard last May on a tour.

Can anyone give me some advice on where to live? I'm looking at an apartment, at least for now, until I can learn the area. I'm a "country boy". Right now I live in farm country outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I'd like to stay somewhat suburban or rural.

The only advice I've been given so far is to stay away from the shipyard area. Any other tips?

My fiance is an elementary school teacher. Things look fairly promising for her right now in the Poquoson school district. Any thoughts on that?

TIA

[ashbrn4]

I have a family member who lives in Kiln Creek on the Yorktown side and their three kids go to school there and they really like it. They've been there for more than 14 years. He works at the shipyard as an engineer and she works locally for a non profit. It's a very nice family community and it's right off of I-64 and there are plenty of amenities nearby. There is an ice rink, mall, restaurants and recreation. It's also convenient to Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, VA Beach, etc for day trips. As far as schools, I do know she said the school district on the Yorktown side was much better than the Newport News side, but other than that I have no idea.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by ashbrn4

I have a family member who lives in Kiln Creek on the Yorktown side and their three kids go to school there and they really like it. They've been there for more than 14 years. He works at the shipyard as an engineer and she works locally for a non profit. It's a very nice family community and it's right off of I-64 and there are plenty of amenities nearby. There is an ice rink, mall, restaurants and recreation. It's also convenient to Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, VA Beach, etc for day trips. As far as schools, I do know she said the school district on the Yorktown side was much better than the Newport News side, but other than that I have no idea.

She is correct on the fact that the y-town side is better for schools. u may also want to look at yorkshire downs just down 134 from kiln creek which also has y-town schools. but kiln creek is a great place just may be a lil expensive.

[Stonecoldharbours]

NN schools are horrible. Do not put your child in any of those schools, but yes go to York county, wonderful schools, but be careful where you live, even the nice areas can be drug houses, trust me on this!

[VaVet96]

Not many apartments in York County. I live in Coventry subdivision in York County. It's a nice community with a wide range of home types from duplexes to very large single family homes. Pools, walking trails, great local schools and so on. Price range is about $200K to $750K. A few rental opportunities pop up from time to time, but you have to grab those quick. Since we're in the southeastern corner of York County, it's a fairly easy drive to and from the shipyard. About 20-25 minutes. Lots of other nice subdivisions very close to Coventry too. On up Rt 17, some great locations, but having lived way up 17 (near the bridge at Yorktown), the drive down Rt 17 has become challenging over the past 10 years.
As for your fiance, she'll be very happy teaching in either York or Poquoson. Both great school districts. Should be plenty of opportunities in both areas. Hope you both enjoy your brief time in Hampton Roads!

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by PghPaNative

NN schools are horrible. Do not put your child in any of those schools, but yes go to York county, wonderful schools, but be careful where you live, even the nice areas can be drug houses, trust me on this!

i don't agree with your assessment of NN schools. while NN schools are in fact inferior to YC schools they ALL aren't horrible. i have family and friends who went through NN and Hampton schools and do just fine in life. it's all about handling your business. i knew folks who transferred from NN to YC schools and do just as horrible and even worse. I graduated from a system considered even worse than NN (Alexandria City) where only 70% of kids attend the public schools. NN's is over 85%. Graduated with acceptance to Howard U. Apparently, colleges don't care if your 4.0 GPA comes from YC or Newport News. If u can afford YC or Poquoson, great for u. But there are the folks who can't who just have to take what they can get.

[williamsburgfan]

what price range and type of housing are you looking for? will you have children in school or not? Sounds like someone teaching - if Poquoson doesn't work out try w-jcc system, excellent schools.

working at the shipyard you have many options. you can live as far west as williamsburg/james city county, south to suffolk, smithfield and even on the southside if that strikes your fancy - although for me it is too crowded and zI hate the traffic. Gloucester would also be an option.

some NN schools are OK - getting harder to find and going down fast in the last few years. PghPaNative sounds a little like "lookingforaghoodhome". They both warns others to trust them on subjects - which are not entirely accurate. keep in mind this info is just a collection of opinions on some things - and where to live is certainly subjective.

give us prices and other relevant info. you have lots of options. for more "country" i would look at smithfield, suffolk, gloucester, james city county

[JDub02]

Originally Posted by williamsburgfan

what price range and type of housing are you looking for? will you have children in school or not? Sounds like someone teaching - if Poquoson doesn't work out try w-jcc system, excellent schools.

working at the shipyard you have many options. you can live as far west as williamsburg/james city county, south to suffolk, smithfield and even on the southside if that strikes your fancy - although for me it is too crowded and zI hate the traffic. Gloucester would also be an option.

some NN schools are OK - getting harder to find and going down fast in the last few years. PghPaNative sounds a little like "lookingforaghoodhome". They both warns others to trust them on subjects - which are not entirely accurate. keep in mind this info is just a collection of opinions on some things - and where to live is certainly subjective.

give us prices and other relevant info. you have lots of options. for more "country" i would look at smithfield, suffolk, gloucester, james city county

Thanks for the info. I'd like to stay < $1000/month rent for a 2 bedroom apt. We're just starting out. Any more than that and I'd be better off just buying a house up front. No kids here, so school system really isn't an issue. I like the more quiet, relaxed atmosphere of a suburban setting. And it's a better area to ride my motorcycle.

I'd just like to stay within 10-15 minutes of a grocery store and wal-mart and be able to get broadband internet.


Some places that I'm looking at just from browsing www.rent.com and www.apartmentratings.com

Pepperwood Townhomes in Portsmouth
Wythe Creek Apartments in Poquoson
Chelsea at Lee Hall in Newport News
Chelsea Pointe in Portsmouth (what's with the name "Chelsea"?)
Poquoson Place in Poquoson
Pines of York in Yorktown
Four Seasons Apartments in Yorktown


I'll be making a work sponsored "house hunting" trip after Easter. Any thoughts on narrowing/expanding the list?


Thanks for the input thus far, folks.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by JDub02

Thanks for the info. I'd like to stay < $1000/month rent for a 2 bedroom apt. We're just starting out. Any more than that and I'd be better off just buying a house up front. No kids here, so school system really isn't an issue. I like the more quiet, relaxed atmosphere of a suburban setting. And it's a better area to ride my motorcycle.

I'd just like to stay within 10-15 minutes of a grocery store and wal-mart and be able to get broadband internet.


Some places that I'm looking at just from browsing www.rent.com and www.apartmentratings.com

Pepperwood Townhomes in Portsmouth
Wythe Creek Apartments in Poquoson
Chelsea at Lee Hall in Newport News
Chelsea Pointe in Portsmouth (what's with the name "Chelsea"?)
Poquoson Place in Poquoson
Pines of York in Yorktown
Four Seasons Apartments in Yorktown


I'll be making a work sponsored "house hunting" trip after Easter. Any thoughts on narrowing/expanding the list?


Thanks for the input thus far, folks.

4 seasons and pines of york are good choices. very quiet area. portsmouth can be a little rough in terms of commute and crime so be careful. hampton ain't a bad idea either considering you have no kids to worry about.

[Stonecoldharbours]

Williamsburgfan, you need to get a grip here, your entitled to speak your mind, just as I am, not dissing anyone here, but I call it as I see it and will continue to do so, sorry but that's life.